Josh Dugan can make switch to centres, says winger Jason Nightingale

JASON Nightingale says Josh Dugan will be as devastating in the centres as he is at fullback, and will cause plenty of headaches out wide.

JOSH Dugan is as devastating in the centres as he is at fullback, and will cause plenty of headaches out wide should St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor grant his star player his positional wish.

So says Dugan’s teammate Jason Nightingale, who will be the big winner with Dugan in either position, be it combining with him early in the set, or playing outside him on the right wing.

Much of the pre-season talk at the joint venture has been about Dugan and what position will suit him best.

He’s keen to return to the centres, but McGregor will only give him his blessing should new recruit Kurt Mann shine in the No. 1 jumper during the trials.

Nightingale said Dugan would do both positions justice, and has seen first hand how hard he is to stop when in the centres.

“I think Duges’ is the best kick-returner in the comp when he plays at fullback, but then again when we get close to the line, he’s devastating one on one, or even two on one, he’s pretty strong and very hard to tackle,’’ Nightingale said.

Josh Dugan and Jason Nightingale foil a Roosters try attempt. pic Mark Evans

“He’s also a better defender than he probably gets credit for.

“If he plays in the centres, he’s definitely more suited to being a right centre.

“I’m sure he’s willing to do whatever is asked of him, and he’ll have an impact wherever he plays.’’

For the first time the Red V have no shortage of genuine talent vying for the back five spots, with Nightingale the only safe bet at right wing.

Then again, the 29-year-old can also play on the left, and only a couple of months ago produced a spectacular leaping try there for New Zealand against the Poms in a Test.

McGregor will have plenty of headaches trying to not only decide where Dugan plays, but how to include Tim Lafai, Euan Aitken, Peter Mata’utia, Mann and even Adam Quinlan.

The coach will use the Auckland Nines and trials to get a better idea, but knows deep down it will take something special for him to move his heavily-tattooed trump card.

Nightingale said of the depth: “We lost our way in that middle part of the season, but we’ve got enough depth now and we’ll have first graders who won’t be playing first grade come round one.

“That’s what every good squad has, and that’s what will get us through the middle part of the season, and hopefully help us finish higher up the ladder.’’

Nightingale has been consistently solid on the wing for the Dragons, and while he was happy with his efforts to help his side coming out from their own end, he was just as keen to score more tries.

McGregor is expected to put his players through a gut-wrenching session on Friday, with Nightingale and English duo Mike Cooper and Gareth Widdop, who also resumed just this week, to feel the pinch.

Originally published as Josh Dugan can make switch to centres, says winger Jason Nightingale